Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the role of glutathione metabolising enzymes in rats with Gram-negative sepsis.
Setting: University hospital, Sweden.
Animals: 61 male Sprague Dawley rats.
Interventions: Animals were divided into two groups, one of which was given tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA), a powerful inducer of glutathione metabolising enzymes. A gelatine capsule containing bacteria and adjuvant substances was placed in the abdomen. In one group it contained only adjuvant substances, and the controls underwent sham laparotomy.
Main outcome measures: Activities of glutathione metabolising enzymes, and histological effect on pulmonary tissue.
Results: Activities of glutathione metabolising enzymes were reduced in lung tissue after the induction of sepsis. Pre-treatment with BHA increased enzyme activity and reduced the histological changes.
Conclusion: Glutathione metabolising enzymes may have a role in sepsis, and pre-treatment with BHA seems to prevent histological changes in pulmonary tissue in septic rats.